Attics are often a place in an existing home that leaks a lot of energy, and thus money, out of the owner’s home and pocket! Attic insulation is a simple way to increase the home’s energy efficiency by insulating the walls, ceilings, and floors of the attic itself.
Insulating the proper insulation for your attic is important for all homeowners. For those in cold climates, it will keep your heat in in the winter, and cut down on drafts, especially those that blow through the walls and leak air in through outlets and door jambs. In warmer climates, the insulation keeps the hot air outside the home, and keeps the air conditioning where you want it – in the living spaces of the home. To make matters easy for those living in climates with both cold winters and hot summers, the same sort of insulation will serve both purposes. One key point that you will want remember is that even though it smacks against all common sense, you actually DO need ventilation in your attic space. This can be accomplished by a high quality roof vent being installed as part of your roofing infrastructure. Believe it or not, with many changes in climate, your roof can “sweat” and build up moisture. Without proper ventilation, mold could grow and then you’ll have real issues.
There are two sorts of insulating material that are generally used in attics: batt and loose-fill insulation. Though installation costs can vary widely, loose-fill is usually cheaper to install, and if done correctly will provide better insulation for the home. There are three types of loose-fill insulation: cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool. Each has various benefits but some are easier to install for the homeowner than others would be.
To summarize, keeping attic insulation properly installed and care for is important to lowering your yearly energy bills. Proper roof maintenance is also important especially considering proper venting and air flow in your attic space. If you want more information you can find the best types of attic insulation for your area as well as how to install the insulation by searching online. If you don’t feel qualified to tackle this project on your own, you can easily research local qualified contractors that can do the job, as well.